Mills beat out 115 other young women in the 60th annual competition. As the final duty in her reign, Miss World 2009 Kaiane Aldorino of Gibraltar removed the multi-colored crown from her head and gently placed it on Mills. The first runner-up was from Botswana, the second runner-up was from Venezuela.

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Congratulations to this very pretty girl. What about one like that for men? As a woman I value brains way over looks but it is nice to see the display of intelligent pretty looking girls from all over the world instead of seeing women wrapped up in black garbage bags or women trying to compete to reach 500Lbs. Once one girl told me she hid herself under the garbage bag robes because she was told all nice looking precious gems were to be hidden. Unfortunately she doesn't realize that all the precious gems are on display in the museums etc. for the whole world to see and we hide ugly things in garbage bags. It's time for these women to throw out the black trash bags off their face.

Wow! I read such hateful things on here. Just be happy for this young lady and her family. My mother always taught me, "if you don't have something nice to say....don't say anything at all." Best of Luck Miss Kentucky!

So, you are telling me a teenager from Kentucky who aspires to be a school teacher is the most important young female in the world? FAIL!! Grow some purpose behind your rich family and soon to be husband and maybe this won't be the 'highlight' of your life 'most un-original person in the universe.'

Not rocks or dogs here.....just someone who prefers a 'US ambassador" to atleast be a higher educated person. Excuse me for thinking there are more deserving people in the entire universe than a 'cookie cutter' suburbia teenager.

Enjoy life, whatever it brings, whether it brings something to you, or to someone else. Don't get all upset because you've never done anything worthy of CNN.COM. Go out and achieve something and we'll see you on CNN.com next!

Many will slam this article, the pageant, and the whole concept of "women on parade". However, it is one of the rare times in which the whole world can participate in a celebration of what good there is in humanity. It harms no one, participation is voluntary, and it portrays the beauty that can be found in the human experience.

Sorry but I don't buy that this contest "brings the world together" nor that it is harmless. It's REALLY sad that in 2010 we are still having contests based on how "pretty" someone is. And don't try to tell me that beauty isn't the main criteria because IT IS (you see any unattractive, overweight or even average weight women in the contest?). Its just part of the brainwashing of little girls as they grow up that beauty is more important than anything else. Why aren't there well know beauty contests for men? Because beauty isn't considered "important" for men while it is considered almost everything for a woman. It just shows that we still haven't evolved as a culture very far from when we were still living in caves. People don't question anything but just follow the herd.

Okay now go ahead and respond to my comment about how I'm taking this too seriously or with some ad hominem attacks. Don't actually try and address any of my arguments...

O.K. Jeff B. Nothing ad hominem here. As a terrestrial ecologist, I'll try to address the question from a slightly different direction. First, although we don't have large well publicized male beauty contests, if you have ever listened to women, you will know that physical attributes are important to them also. Women tend to like tall, fit men with clear eyes and good smiles (good teeth) and regular features. All are indications of good genes that lead to good health and an ability to create healthy offspring and provide for the family. Men tend to prefer many of the same characteristics in women probably for the same evolutionary reasons. Female beauty tends to consist of regular facial features, large, bright eyes, good smile, healthy hair, enough curves to indicate childbearing ability, clear, smooth skin, etc. Again all outward indicators of favorable genes and good health. Although weight and amount of curve preference varies culturally and temporally the other factors are pretty constant, just look at ancient greek sculpture or other art forms.

sad that we are giving value to beauty? we do, that is life, don't think the rest of the world should should follow your PC footsteps, we as humans value beauty, we choose things based off our wants, find our mates etc.

does this effect girls? maybe, maybe they want to anyway? do you have children? if you do then you know some of this comes pre-wired... no I don't buy that nature vs. nuture argument... I think there are REAL differences in how children act (boys v. girls)

what planet are you from... how repressed are you? not trying to attact you, but you seemed very interested in making the world fit into some idea you have... NOW THAT IS SAD

Our family is comprised of people of all shapes, sizes, and nationalities. My 5 boys are drown to skinny, but yet curvy white women with blond hair and blue eyes. None of us in our family are blond/blue. I think a lot of these things are hard wired. I also don't think we should be celebrating unhealthy eating habits and putting overweight or obese people on a pedestal. Maybe us and our children are hardwired to know that fat = unhealthy and that is why a lot of us are drawn to people that are healthy LOOKING.

JeffB, it is what it is. That's life my man. I agree that we are saying to girls that being pretty is important, but guess what, throughout history, throughout the world, it is. Should we have contests for it? Maybe not. But why is it that "the most eligible bachelors" are rich? Are we telling boys that you cannot get a good women if you're poor? You bet. Is that right? It may not be right, but it is the way it is..

Lindsay – "JeffB's daughters must be ugly." You are an ass. And you completely negated any cogent comments you might have made with that statement. Hope you don't have kids.
Fact is – beauty is valued in women and prosperity in men. It is what it is. It's starting to 'even' out a bit in this culture (for good or bad)- i.e. men are becoming more consumed with being 'beautiful' and women more consumed with achieving material success – but whether you like it or not that's the state we're in. If you raise children with a value system – hopefully you can mitigate some of the cultural norms. Oh – and before you bash me as 'overweight or unattractive' – I'm neither.

Mano, thank you for the wonderful comments! We try, as teachers, every day to get this concept across! I have several in my Jr.High and High School classes that do compete! We have taken once shy girls, and offered them an opportunity to be strong women! Their grades are exceeding and their speaking abilities before large audiences is remarkable! Learning to get along with others is another big part of this learning process. They also can use this experience on their resumes for college and jobs in the future! Are they all DROP DEAD GORGEOUS, no they are not! But the effects of the experience, make them so! They know the hard work that it takes to get anything finished in this life! They are not the WHINEY teenagers we so often encounter! It builds character, just like my students in sports and music! I encourage their abilities every day! I expect those who have never been in a pageant, sports or the arts have no concept of how hard this is for our young ones. They are trying to deal with PEER PRESSURE while trying to accomplish something beneficial. So, let's not be so judgemental! Maybe those who are putting the pageants down would prefer that these girls would be in my AFTER SCHOOL DETENTION each and every day like so many of my other students! YOU KNOW, THE ONES WHO BULLY, BEAT UP OTHER STUDENTS AND BRING WEAPONS TO SCHOOL? Thanks again, Mano!

As a woman I always think brain power is way superior than just looks. However, it is nice to see the display of intelligent pretty looking girls from all over the world instead of seeing women wrapped up in black garbage bags or women trying to compete to reach 500Lbs. It will be nice to see a parade of un-pumped intelligent handsome guys from all over the world.

The interesting thing is some of these people have been "acting" the bitter troll for so long they've become it and aren't aware. To them I say keep up your outrage, try to undermine everything and everyone even slightly positive. Your premature deaths due to stress will give us something to laugh about.

Joe, I have several first and second year teachers on my staff who have been traveling the world since they were small! I only wish I could have gone to half of the places they have been! The point is that she is representing the world as an ambassador and will learn much! :)

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